There seems to be a common theme developing within recent reviews for Restorationsï¿½?? Strange Behavior â€” the terrific fourâ€”song EP released last year by Paper + Plastick â€” which is that this Philly outfit plays music for ï¿½??grownâ€”up punks.ï¿½?ï¿½ Iï¿½??m not sure if thatï¿½??s necessarily true as the bandï¿½??s background, touring history and allâ€”around response to its relatively short discography collectively point to the fact that its appeal spans generations of music fans. From hardcore, postâ€”punk, shoegaze, americana, roots rock and even stoner metal, the overwhelming consensus that Restorationsï¿½?? singular sound is difficult to pin down (though itï¿½??s fun to try) and originates from an undeniably earnest place â€” something that is universally easy to get on board with.

So from what I can tell, ï¿½??grownâ€”up punksï¿½?ï¿½ is merely a term used to describe what the band is not. Itï¿½??s not music made solely for adults; on the other hand, youï¿½??re not going to find much in the way of buzzâ€”saw riffs, throatâ€”shredding screams or breakneck drumming. And if youï¿½??re searching for a record where playing loud and fast trumps playing well, Iï¿½??d go elsewhere. Of course, that doesnï¿½??t mean that Restorationsï¿½?? brilliant Selfâ€”Titled debut fullâ€”length isnï¿½??t exploding with passion and electricity (it is) and weï¿½??re certainly not inferring that these eight amazing songs wonï¿½??t rip through your skull before knocking the wind out of you with repeated sonic gut punches (they do). What we are emphatically stating is that if youï¿½??ve been searching for a thoughtful, nuanced take on punk and indie rock â€” and all the subâ€”genres they entail â€” Restorations might just be your new favorite band.

Need proofâ€” Listen no further than the stunning opener ï¿½??Nonlocality,ï¿½?ï¿½ with its atmospheric, spineâ€”tingling intro, gorgeous harmonies and crushing wall of sound which closes out a track that feels nothing short of epic. For the albumï¿½??s 33 + minute duration, Restorations follows a similar trajectory, creating songs that are intricately layered, tensionâ€”building monsters which lean heavily on a rhythm section that could probably knock a hole in the side of a Sherman tank. Still, that never takes away from the bandï¿½??s ability to craft warm, stirring melodies, enduring hooks and dense, dynamic song structures. Cascading guitars, pulsing waves of reverb and spacey flourishes are held together by Jon Loudonï¿½??s raspyâ€”yetâ€”tuneful growl. His delivery is one that transmits confidence, wisdom and a bit of wear and tear â€” perhaps from years fronting postâ€”hardcore heroes Jena Berlin â€” but he also sings with a soulful, youthful exuberance that feels like he genuinely loves the process of creating music.

Perhaps that is Restorationsï¿½?? strength as a cohesive unit â€” that even though this Selfâ€”Titled record is a serious work of art with many subtle complexities, achingly intense moments of restraint and driving need to find a unique voice in this word, it also resonates as if it were an absolute joy to write and perform. Even the pristine recording and production from Algernon Cadwalladerï¿½??s Joe Reinhart allows the band to maintain a raw, loose aesthetic and foundationâ€”shaking low end that owes a much to the membersï¿½?? punk and hardcore roots.

If we were to speak in metaphors, Restorations is like a menacing storm on the horizon, steadily rumbling across dusty plains and jagged mountains and enveloping everything in its path. Its impending arrival is a nailâ€”biting experience and the anticipation is nearly as dramatic as the actual event, which in itself is a moving, whiteâ€”knuckled affair. Pouring down dense sheets of cathartic sound, Restorations washes away the throngs of stale, unimaginative bands that pollute the onceâ€”inspired reservoirs of independent music and breathes new air into tired lungs.

Perhaps thatï¿½??s why this Selfâ€”Titled effort speaks so loudly to us ï¿½??overâ€”theâ€”hillï¿½?ï¿½ punk rockers. Itï¿½??s not that Restorations is a band comprised of jaded old punks; itï¿½??s that some of us have been around long enough to hear (what feels like) everything music has to offer. Every once in a while we need a group to cleanse our palates and get us stoked on the scene again. For these ears â€” and Iï¿½??m sure many of yours â€” Restorations is that band, and the term ï¿½??grownâ€”up punkï¿½?ï¿½ is not about leaving behind the fire of our youth but rather the exciting possibilities and new frontiers that years of experience can underline.